Rod handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for guiding and controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving metallic rod, such as rolled copper rod. A rotating wheel has a peripheral groove for receiving and pulling the rod for maintaining proper tension thereon. A continuously moving chain is operatively mounted on a frame which is pivotally mounted so that the chain can be selectively moved in and out of peripheral engagement with the periphery of the rotating wheel. When the chain is in peripheral engagement with the rotating wheel, the chain positively forces the rod into engagement with the peripheral groove. Thereafter, the chain is moved out of peripheral engagement with the wheel and the moving rod remains in engagement with the groove between an entrance position and a discharge position. Preferably, a device signals when the rod is in engagement with the peripheral groove and moves the frame for the moving chain to a position spaced from the rotating wheel and from the moving rod.

United States Patent [19] Edwards et al.

[451 May21, 1974 1 ROD HANDLING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Kenneth F. Edwards, Lancaster,

Ohio; Ralph A. Vogel, Three Rivers,

Mich.

[731 Assignee: Essex International, lnc., Fort Wayne, Ind.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 188,026

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 167,986, Aug. 2,

1971. abandoned.

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-{lone A. Church Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcoff 5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for guiding and controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving metallic rod, such as rolled copper rod. A rotating wheel has a peripheral groove for receiving and pulling the rod for maintaining proper tension thereon. A continuously moving chain is operatively mounted on a frame which is pivotally mounted so that the chain can be selectively moved in and out of peripheral engagement with the periphery of the rotating wheel. When the chain is in peripheral engagement with the rotating wheel, the chain positively forces the rod into engagement with the peripheral groove. Thereafter, the chain is moved out of peripheral engagement with the wheel and the moving rod remains in engagement with the groove between an entrance position and a discharge posinon.

Preferably, a device signals when the rod is in engagement with the peripheral groove and moves'the frame for the moving chain to a position spaced from the rotating wheel and from the moving rod.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures menu-10mm m4 3. 81 1 .610

sum 3 er. a

J52 Z/en [0W5] 6' 20 Jf nnefli E Edwards Myw t W l M929 REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of our co-pending patent application Ser. No. 167,986 filed Aug. 2, 1971, and entitled Rod Handling Apparatus, now abandoned. I

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION and DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving metallic rod, particularly of the type produced during a rolling operation.

In the production of metallic rod, such as copper rod produced by a continuous casting and rolling operation, after the rod has been rolled to the desired diameter, it is normally coiled into continuous coils. During the path of travel of the rod, which is moving at a relatively high rate of linear speed, the rod must be efficiently handled between the coiling operation and the end of the rolling operation. In this operation, one of the critical aspects of the coiling .operation occurs at the initiation of the production of the rolled rod. During the initial, and also later handling of the continuously moving rod, the rod must ordinarily have its path of travel changed from one direction to another linear pathof travel. As one specific example, of such an operation, a rolled rod is passed upwardly in an angular path of travel immediately following the rolling operation. The rod is moved in such a path until itreaches a position to 30 feet above a horizontal surface. The rod is then directed vertically downwardly and is continuously coiled in a receiving basket. The present in-- vention is directed to the apparatus which accomplishes the directional change in movement of the continuously moved rod.

Prior art devices showing various arrangements for handling wire rods, as-for changing their directions of travel, are shown, for example, in Lenox U.S. Pat. No. 373,463, in Edwards U.S. Pat. No. 1,295,139 in Foster U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,755, in Smith U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,070, in Johnston U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,656, and in Cofer et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,560. While the foregoing patents show various arrangements for handling metal rods none is considered to fulfill the various desired design features considered important for such equipment. For example, these prior art devices, where a continuous belt or chain engages a capstan wheel or the like in order to force and hold the rod or the like into a groove in the wheel, the chain or belt remains in engagement with the wheel for the entire operation. This leads to undesired wear and possible breakdown during use. Any breakdowns during a continuous operation are considered highly undesirable as they often require a complete shutdown of the equipment, ultimately leading to undesired economic waste. Thus, whenever it is possible to eliminate or avoid the use of a particular piece of equipment during a continuous operation, it is considered to be particularly advantageous because the risk of breakdown is thereby reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for'efficiently and conveniently handling continuously moving metallic rod.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved rod handling apparatus wherein a portion thereof is operative to initially change the direction of movement of the rod and is thereafter inoperative.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for handling continuously cast metal rod wherein a portion of the equipment is used only briefly whereby the risk of equipment breakdown is reduced.

It is another object of this invention to provide rod handling apparatus wherein means are provided to initially change the path of travel ofsaid rod from one direction to another, thereafter such means being moved to an inoperative position.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved rod handling apparatus which is particularly characterized by its simplicity and economy of construction and effectiveness in use.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a continuously moving chain or belt to initially forcea continuously moving rod into engagement with a peripheral groove in a wheel so as to change its path of travel, wherein a device is provided to automatically I move the chain out of engagement with the wheel and with the rod after the rod has been forced into peripheral engagement with the wheel.

Further purposes and objects of this invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing rod handling apparatus which includes a rotatable wheel with a groove for peripherally receiving the rod and maintaining the rod therein between first and second rotated positions, and a member selectively movable between operative and inoperative positions, said member being in the operative position only during initial engagement of the rod with the groove and thereafter being in the inoperative position.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Particular embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus used for changing the direction of travel of a continuously moving metallic rod;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the rod engaging member moved out of engagement with the metallic rod and capstan;

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the upper portion of the apparatus of the type shown in FIG. I wherein means are provided for automatically pivoting the rod engaging chain out of.

forced into peripheral engagement with the groove in the wheel; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of the portion of FIG. 7 which shows the device used for automatically pivoting the rod engaging chain and its frame out of peripheral engagement with the rod and pulling wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the rod handling apparatus, generally 10, is movably mounted on a main frame, generally 12. The main frame 12 includes a pair of I- beam supports 14 which have a horizontal plate 16 rigidly mounted thereon.

The rod handling apparatus includes a support frame 18 which has four supporting casters 20 mounted along its lower surface. The rod handling apparatus 10 is laterally movable on the main frame 12 so that the coiling of the rod 22 at a position vertically below the apparatus 10 may take place at different but adjacent locations. This is important because after one container (not shown) is filled with coiled rod, the apparatus 10 is merely shifted or moved laterally relative to the frame 18 and coiling commences in a storage container without cutting the rod or, in any way, stopping the coiling operation. Referring to FIG. 6, drive apparatus, generally 23, is provided for drivably shifting the position of the apparatus 10 relative to the frame 12. The drive 23 includes a motor-reducer 24 which is rigidly mounted to the underside of the frame 18. The reducer drive shaft 26 drives a sprocket 28, which in turn, en gages a chain 30. The chain 30 engages a sprocket 32 which is rigidly secured to one of two caster shafts 34. Each shaft 34 rigidly carries a pair of the casters 20. Upon rotation of one shaft 34, one pair of casters 20 is drivably rotated so that the apparatus 10 is laterally moved on the plate 16, until the desired position is reached.

The moving rod 22 is passed upwardly from the last set of reducing rollers (not shown) to the rod handling apparatus 10. During such passage, the rod 22 moves through a cooling tube 38 which is supported at its inner end by a bracket assembly 40 which is rigidly fixed to the upper surface ofa bottom plate 41 of the frame 18. As the rod 22 passes upwardly through the cooling tube 38, coolant is passed through the coolant inlet device 42 in a counter-current path, relative to the movement of the rod 22. The rod 22 then passes through an exit tube 44 and is guidably directed to the rod handling apparatus 10 where the rod 22 has its direction of travel changed from an upwardly angled direction to a vertical downward direction for the coiling operation several feet therebelow.

The frame 18 supporting the rod handling apparatus 10 includes a rigid upright support frame 48 mounted on the bottom plate 41, to which the various operating parts of the rod handling apparatus 10 are operatively connected. The rod 22 passes upwardly from the exit tube 44 and is received within the outwardly flared guide tube 49 which is supported by a bracket 51, rigidly secured to the upright frame portion 48. The tube 49 is tangentially mounted relative to the upper peripheral surface of a rod pulling wheel, generally 50. The rod pulling wheel 50 is vertically mounted and is rotatable about its horizontal axis.

The rod pulling wheel 50 is rigidly mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 52 which rotates the rod pulling wheel 50 with a peripheral speed which is synchronized to substantially equal the linear speed of the moving rod 22. The wheel 50 maintains sufficient torque from rotation to pull or maintain tension on the rod 22. Referring to FIG. 5, the rod pulling wheel 50 includes a circular flange 54 to which one end of the drive shaft 52 is rigidly secured. A capstan assembly, generally 56, is rigidly secured to the flange 54 by bolts 58. The capstan 56 includes a pair of mating rings 57 having a V- shaped groove 60 defined therebetween and in the outer periphery of the capstan assembly 56. The groove 60 is dimensioned so as to frictionally receive the moving rod 22 therein.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drive shaft 52, which drives the rod pulling wheel 50, is rotatably carried within a pair of flange bearings 62, which are mounted in the upright frame 48. A large diameter timing pulley 64 is rigidly mounted on the drive shaft 52 and operatively engages a timing belt 66. A reduced diameter timing pulley 68 is rigidly mounted on a horizontal rotatable shaft 70 and operatively engages the timing belt 66. The shaft 70 is rotatably carried by flange bearings 72 which are rigidly mounted on the upright support frame 48. The shaft 70 is driven by power means (not shown).

A clutch 74 is mounted on the shaft 70 and includes an output portion 76. A sprocket 78 is rigidly mounted on the output portion 76 and engages a chain 80 which operatively engages a sprocket 82. The sprocket 82 is rigidly mounted on a horizontally mounted rotatable shaft 84. The shaft 84 is rotatably carried in flange bearings 86 which are rigidly mounted in portion of the upright support frame 48 of the rod handling frame 18. A spur gear 88 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 84 and operatively engages a spur gear 90 which is mounted on another horizontal rotatable shaft 92. An idler sprocket 94 is rotatably carried on a support bracket 96 which is fixed to the frame 48. The idler sprocket 94 acts to maintain proper tension on the chain 80. The various rotating shafts described herein are generally spaced from each other and are all horizontally mounted.

Referring to FIG. 1, a belt frame, generally 98, is pivotally mounted on the shaft 84, which thereby functions as a hinge shaft. The belt frame 98 has three spaced timing sprockets 100 rotatably and operatively mounted thereon. The timing sprockets 100 each engage a silent chain 102. The chain 102 is selectively operable to move at substantially the same linear speed as the rod 22 moving in the capstan assembly 56, which also has a peripheral speed substantially the same as the rod 22. The spur gear 90 rotates the drive shaft 92 upon which one of the timing sprockets 100 is mounted, whereby the chain 102 is moved at the desired peripheral speed. A chain guide 104 is rigidly mounted on the belt frame 98. As best shown in FIG. 5, the chain guide 104 includes spaced rigidly mounted plates 106 having inwardly facing, spaced 105 grooves therein, in which the chain 102 is guidably received to define an arc having substantially the same shape as the outer periphery of the rod receiving capstan assembly 56. The belt frame 98 is pivoted between an operative position, as shown in FIG. 1, and an inoperative position as shown in FIG. 4 by an air cylinder 108. The operative position is when the chain 102 acts to guide the rod 22 into the capstan groove 60 and the inoperative position is when the frame 98 and chain 102 have been moved away from the capstan 56. A piston rod 110 of the air cylinder .108 is pivotally connected to bracket 112 rigidly mounted on the underside of the belt frame 98, at a pivot 114. The opposite end of the cylinder 108 is pivotally connected at 115 to the frame 18. The cylinder 108 is selectively operable by suitable control means (not shown) to drive the frame 98 between its operative and inoperative positions.

An idler pinch wheel 116 frictionally engages the periphery of the capstan assembly 56 at the exit position 118 of the rod 22. The pinch wheel 116 acts to maintain the rod 22 in the groove 60 up to the exit position 118. The pinch wheel 116 also cooperates with the pulling wheel 50 to maintain tension on the rod 22. The pinch wheel 116 is carried on a shaft 120 which is rotatably carried in pillow blocks 122 which are rigidly mounted on a portion of the upright support frame 48 of the rod handling apparatus frame 18. The rod 22 passes vertically outwardly through an exit guide tube 124 which is held to the frame 48 by a support frame 125. The rod 22 thereafter passes downwardly through a bearing tube 126 which is rotatably carried in a pair of vertically spaced pillow blocks 128. The pillow blocks 128 are rigidly secured to the support frame 18. The bearing tube is coupled to an elephant trunk 130 which is rotated so that as the rod passes out of the lower end thereof (not shown) and appropriate size, substantially horizontal coils are provided in a suitable container (not shown) below the apparatus. The bearing tube is'driven by a drive which includes a pulley 132 mounted on the tube 126, a belt 134 and a drive pulley 136.

For a more full understanding of the applicants invention, a brief description of the operation of the apparatus will be provided. Following rolling ofa continuously cast copper rod 22 to the desired diameter, it is passed upwardly through the cooling tube 38 in an upwardly angular direction. The rod 22 is continuously moved in this direction so that it may be raised to a suitable height and then directed downward for formation of suitable continuous coils of the formed rod 22. In the device 10, the rod 22 is turned. in an efficient convenient manner. from its upward angular path of travel to a downward vertical path of travel. The applicants invention is particularly advantageous at the initial startup operation when the leading edge (not shown) of the first suitable rod 22 is to be moved into engagement with the capstan assembly 56 for the change of direction and subsequent coiling.

The leading end of the coiled rod is passed angularly upwardly out of the cooling tube 38 and is aligned for reception within the entrance tube 44 which is tangential of the capstan 56.

During initial start-up operation, the air cylinder 108 is activated to be moved to the position shown in FIG. I. Also. the clutch 74 is activated so the timing belt 102 operates. With the clutch 74 engaged, the spur gears 88 and 90 and shaft 92 are driven whereby the timing sprockets 100 move the timing belt 102 at the desired linear rate of speed. As the rod moves out of the tube 44, it initially moves into engagement with the underside of the arced part of the silent chain 102 and is forced into frictional engagement with the groove 60 in the capstan assembly 56, which is also being rotated at a peripheral speed substantially equal to the capstan 56 and belt 102. The torque on the assembly 56 causes tension to be applied to the rod 22 so that the rod is always under control. The chain guide 104 assists in properly forcing the rod 22 into firm frictional engagement with the groove 60.

The end of the rod 22 continues to pass around the rotating capstan assembly 56 and is held therein by the chain 102 until the position where it is intercepted by the exit guide tube 124, from where the rod 22 passes downwardly through the bearing tube 126 and through the elephant trunk l30for the coiling operation. The pinch wheel 116 is located just downstream of the exit position of the rod and serves the important function of holding the rod in place in the groove 60. After the coiling operation has been successfully started and the rod is in engagement with the groove 60, the air cylinder 108 is activated to pivot the belt frame 98 about the hinge shaft 84 to the position of FIG. 4. The clutch 74 is also de-activated so the chain 102 is no longer moved. Thus, during normal operations,-the capstan assembly 56 is out of engagement with the timing belt 102 as the belt frame 98 is pivoted to the inoperative position. During normal operation, the pinch wheel 116 assures the required frictional engagement of the rod 22 in the groove 60 of the capstan assembly 56 and also maintains the desired tension on the rod during normal operation. The pinch wheel 116 is rotated by frictional peripheral engagement with the outer periphery of the capstan assembly 56.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown an alternate embodiment which is preferably used with the present invention. A pinch wheel is mounted on the outer end ofa shaft 142, which in turn, is pivotally carried by a pair of spaced upright pillow blocks 144. The pillow blocks 144 are rigidly mounted to a horizontal plate 146. The horizontal plate 146 is laterally slidably adjustable relative to the capstan assembly 56. The outer periphery of the pinch wheel 140 is adjustable to be in close proximity to, but not in contact with, the outer periphery of the mating rings 57 which define the outer periphery of the capstan assembly 56. The plate 146 is slidable on an adjacent lower rigid support plate 148. The relative movement is guided by suitable cooperating grooves and projections (not shown) between the adjustable plate 146 and the rigid support plate 148.

An adjustable stop 150 engages the inner edge of the movable plate 146 so as to properly adjust the outer periphery of the pinch wheel 140 relative to the outer periphery of the capstan assembly 56. The outer edge of the support plate 146 engages a spring biased rod 152 located within a housing 154 which also encloses a compression spring (not shown). The housing 154 is rigidly mounted on a bracket 156 which is secured to the support plate 148. The spring biased rod 152 urges the plate 146 and the pinch wheel 140 inwardly toward the capstan assembly 56, the stop 150 locating the pinch wheel-at the proper position.

A zero position switch assembly 158 is rigidly mounted on a bracket 160 which is secured to the movable support plate 146. The outer end of the pinch wheel shaft 142 is interconnected to a rotatable switch arm 162 by a coupling 164. The switch 158 is in the off position when the shaft 142 is not rotating. When the pinch wheel 140 engages the rod 22 and is rotated, the shaft 142 rotates. This also rotates the switch arm 162, thereby turning the switch to the on" position.

As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of raised peripheral portions or beads 165 are provided on the outer periphery of the pinch wheel 140. One bead 165 is aligned with the groove 60 in the capstan assembly 56. When a rod 22 passes the closest relative position between the capstan periphery and the pinch wheel periphery, the rod 22 engages the pinch wheel and also slides the plate 146 slightly laterally outwardly of the capstan assembly 56. As explained previously, when the rod rotates the pinch wheel 140 and thereby the shaft 142, the switch 158 is moved to the on position. In the on" position, the zero switch 158 activates a solenoid valve (not shown) to cause pressurized air to operate the air cylinder 108 so as to pivot the belt frame 98 about the hinge shaft 84 to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 4. The clutch 74 is also deactivated by the switch 142 so the chain 102 is no longer moved. Thus, preferably the silent chain 102 is automatically pivoted out of engagement with the rod 22 after the coiling operation has been successfully started as the rod 22 passes the closest point between the pinch wheel 140 and the capstan assembly 56.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, preferably the guide tube 49 is located in close proximity to the outlet end of the exit tube 44. In this way, there is greater assurance that the rod 22 feeds directly from the exit tube 44 to the guide tube 49.

The foregoing device 10 thus provides a highly efficient and economical apparatus for handling metallic rod 22. It is particularly important that the belt frame with the silent chain thereon, is moved to an inoperative position after the rod has been placed into engagement with the groove 60 ofthe capstan assembly 56. in this way, the reduction of operating time reduces wear and the risk of malfunction during the continuous casting, rolling and coiling operation. This is particularly important in a continuous operation because it is highly desirable to avoid the breakdown of any part of the equipment as it adversely affects the entire operation of the continuous operation.

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art to be inclined within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving rod, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having means therein for receiving the rod, said receiving means being in engagement with said rod between first and second rotated position of said wheel, said receiving means receiving said rod at said first position in one tangential direction and discharging said rod at said second position in a second tangential direction, means selectively movable on said frame between operative and inoperative positions, said movable means being in the operative position only for initially engaging said rod to guide said rod into engagement with said receiving means, and thereafter being in the inoperative position which is spaced from said rod and said wheel, and means for maintaining said rod in engagement with said receiving means after said movable means is moved from the operative position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first tangential direction is an upwardly angled direction and said second tangential direction is a downward direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises a peripheral groove which is dimensioned to frictionally receive the rod.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movable means comprises a support member pivotally mounted on said frame, a continuous member movably carried on said frame for peripherally engaging substantially the portion of said wheel between said first and second positions, and means for selectively moving said frame between said operative position and said inoperative position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said moving means comprises an air cylinder which is operatively connected between said frame and said support memher.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said maintaining means includes a pinch wheel which peripherally engages said wheel at said second position to assure maintenance of said rod in said wheel when said movable means is in the inoperative position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wheel maintains pulling tension on said rod.

8. Apparatus for controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving rod, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having means therein for receiving the rod, said receiving means being in engagement with said rod between first and second rotated position of said wheel, said receiving means receiving said rod at said first position in one tangential direction and discharging said rod at said second position in a second tangential direction, means selectively movable on said frame between operative and inoperative positions, said movable means in the operative position engaging said rod to guide said rod into engagement with said receiving means, and in the inoperative position being spaced from said rod and said wheel, and means for moving said movable means to the inoperative position as said rod initially moves into engagement with said receiving means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 including a means for detecting when said rod is in said groove, and means responsive to said detecting means for moving said moveable means to the inoperative position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said detecting means includes a pinch wheel engaging said rod in said groove and being rotated by said engagement, and switch means being activated by said rotating of said pinch wheel.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said movable means comprises a support member pivotally mounted on said frame, a continuous member movably carried on said frame for peripherally engaging substantially the portion of said wheel between said first and second positions, means for moving said frame to the inoperative position in response to the detection of said rod being initially near said second position. 

1. Apparatus for controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving rod, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having means therein for receiving the rod, said receiving means being in engagement with said rod between first and second rotated position of said wheel, said receiving means receiving said rod at said first position in one tangential direction and discharging said rod at said second position in a second tangential direction, means selectively movable on said frame between operative and inoperative positions, said movable means being in the operative position only for initially engaging said rod to guide said rod into engagement with said receiving means, and thereafter being in the inoperative position which is spaced from said rod and said wheel, and means for maintaining said rod in engagement with said receiving means after said movable means is moved from the operative position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first tangential direction is an upwardly angled direction and said second tangential direction is a downward direction.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises a peripheral groove which is dimensioned to frictionally receive the rod.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movable means comprises a support member pivotally mounted on said frame, a continuous member movably carried on said frame for peripherally engaging substantially the portion of said wheel between said first and second positions, and means for selectively moving said frame between said operative position and said inoperative position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said moving means comprises an air cylinder which is operatively connected between said frame and said support member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said maintaining means includes a pinch wheel which peripherally engages said wheel at said second position to assure maintenance of said rod in said wheel when said movable means is in the inoperative position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wheel maintains pulling tension on said rod.
 8. Apparatus for controlling the path of travel of a continuously moving rod, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having means therein for receiving the rod, said receiving means being in engagement with said rod between first and second rotated position of said wheel, said receiving means receiving said rod at said first position in one tangential direction and discharging said rod at said second position in a second tangential direction, means selectively movable on said frame between operative and inoperative positions, said movable means in the operative position engaging said rod to guide said rod into engagement with said receiving means, and in the inoperative position being spaced from said rod and said wheel, and means for moving said movable means to the inoperative position as said rod initially moves into engagement with said receiving means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 including a means for detecting when said rod is in said groove, and means responsive to said detecting means for moving said moveable means to the inoperative position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said detecting means includes a pinch wheel engaging said rod in said groove and being rotated by said engagement, and switch means being activated by said rotating of said pinch wheel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said movable means comprises a support member pivotally mounted on said frame, a continuous member movably carried on said frame for peripherally engaging substantially the portion of said wheel between said first and second positions, means for moving said frame to the inoperative position in response to the detection of said rod being initially near said second position. 